Why Brits are moving to Mallorca?

Europeans and the English moved to Mallorca mainly because of the mild Mediterranean climate, warm weather, proximity to the sea, delicious food, and lower living costs.



British citizens continue to move to Mallorca in 2026 primarily for the unbeatable lifestyle, climate, and connectivity. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, the Balearic island offers a stark contrast to the overcast weather of the UK, which is a major draw for both retirees and a growing number of "digital nomads." Despite the complexities introduced by Brexit, Brits are utilizing "Golden Visas" or "Non-Lucrative Visas" to gain residency. The island's capital, Palma, has evolved into a sophisticated year-round cosmopolitan hub with world-class dining, international schools, and a thriving tech scene, making it more than just a summer holiday spot. Furthermore, the sheer volume of daily flights to almost every major UK airport means that expats can be back in London or Manchester in under three hours, allowing for a "best of both worlds" scenario where they can live in a Mediterranean paradise while maintaining business or family ties in Britain. The established expat community also makes integration easier, as English is widely spoken in many of the island's coastal and mountain villages.

People Also Ask

Mallorca has always attracted people from England, northern Europe, and Germany. Europeans and the English moved to Mallorca mainly because of the mild Mediterranean climate, warm weather, proximity to the sea, delicious food, and lower living costs.

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Overall, the cost of living in Spain vs UK is lower in almost every aspect. Each food shop, petrol fill-up and utility bill will on average cost less than in the UK. But it is the price of renting or buying property which is the largest contribution to Spain living costs being 21% lower than the UK.

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Where do British expats live in Spain? While British expats can be found in multiple cities across Spain, they are especially drawn to Costa de Sol, Barcelona, Madrid, and Serville.

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Areas to avoid If you're after something more relaxed, do stay away from Magaluf and Palma Nova as these places are where you'll find a lot of the 18-30's groups, along with English-style pubs, a big drinking culture and all-night parties. They are also jam-packed during the peak tourism months of July and August.

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Mallorca is a very popular travel destination among Germans: on top of the approximately 1.8 million tourist arrivals from other Spanish regions, approximately four million visits from the central European country were registered by the island in 2022.

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Palma de Mallorca The most desirable real estate areas are the Old Town and peaceful Calatrava district, the bohemian district of Santa Catalina (with a great market, and numerous restaurants and bars), and the attractive old fishing village of Portixol.

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The quick answer is yes: the average traveler absolutely can drink tap water in Spain. Essentially, 99.5% of Spain's tap water is deemed safe for consumption. In fact, Spain has one of the most advanced public filtration and wastewater management systems in the world.

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Depending on your objectives, you will find it more interesting visiting Mallorca or Ibiza. Therefore, if you want to party, listen to live music and clubbing, Ibiza is the best place to visit. However, if you want to enjoy Catalan and Mediterranean culture along with cultural sightseeing, visit Mallorca.

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According to property website Idealista, Petra is the cheapest place in Mallorca to buy a home. The average price per square metre in Petra is 1,173 euros. This is more than 200 euros cheaper than the second cheapest - Felanitx at an average of 1,383 euros.

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People like Til Schweiger, the Catherine Zeta-Jones / Michael Douglas family and several other big-name stars live quietly on the island. Some spend chunks of the year in Mallorca staying in huge Finca by the sea in Mallorca.

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As a percentage of the foreign population, the British were fourth in Alcudia, says Foro Ciudad/INE - 5.7%, behind Colombians 16.1%, Argentines 11.2% and Moroccans 9.7%. For Pollensa, the British percentage (the highest) was 16.5%, with Argentines second on 11.4% and Romanians on 9.4%.

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Fornalutx. If you stay by the coast you'll never see it, but Fornalutx is regarded by many as the most beautiful village on Mallorca, and one of the most stunning in Spain. You'll find it deep in the Sierra de Tramuntana, with winding streets, narrow stone steps, and flowers and greenery everywhere.

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Deia, Fornalutx, Valldemossa would all meet your criteria. Old town of Pollensa and town of Soller might also suit. Hope this helps. Fornalutx,so picturesque, is in a mountainous valley but rental villas cost a plenty there especially the few with a pool.It does attract tourists but it won't be too busy in May.

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What Not to Do in Mallorca on Your 1st Visit
  • Planning to visit only in summer.
  • Underestimating the heat.
  • Packing only for the beach.
  • Going for lunch or dinner too early.
  • Not carrying enough cash.
  • (Still) falling for timeshare scams.
  • Drinking in the streets of Magaluf.
  • Not exploring outside Palma.


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Located in Asturias, Ponga offers Brits the chance to get paid to move there due to its own lack of inhabitants. On the face of it, making the switch seems like a no-brainer. Ponga get around 2,000 hours every year, compared with the UK's 1387, so if you're sick of the sunshine, that's one reason to move.

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